Fortis Cosmonaut Lemania 5100

[PJJ]

Hello,  I am a watch enthusiast, currently living in Scotland.  My father bought me a Fortis Chronograph Diver 25 years ago. The watch served well for many years until one of the chronograph push buttons came apart.  An amateur watch 'engineer' cannot find a replacement screwdown push button. To make matters worse a local amateur tried to adjust the balance as it was gaining slightly. Long story short, things went rapidly from bad to worse. The balance stopped turning. To remove the balance wheel the rotor and upper top plate had to be removed. We are unable to reinstall the balance wheel.  The sentimental value means I need to get it restored.   Fortis have repair centers in Europe but they will not accept a watch from outside their home country.  Does anyone know of a competent watch repairer who can repair/rebuild a Lemania 5100 ?   

[WatchMaker]

Hi @PJJ 

I wouldn't get too hung up on trying to find a "Fortis specialist". When it comes to the make-up of watches the basics are the same. Why folk are often forced down needing a "manufacturer approved specialist"  is because said manufacturer has deliberately restricted parts supply making repair impossible unless such a specialist is used.

In your case if it's a Lemania 5100 based parts would generally be available for a service situation. The best advice, with you being UK based, would therefore be to find a BHI qualified repairer near you (https://bhi.co.uk/repairer/). This would be a benchmark of a repairers competence and capability. Such a repairer could service and properly look after your watch ... or at the very least give you a qualified assessment.

Note that the Lemania 5100 is the same movement as an Omega 1045. So another angle, or to dovetail with the above, would be to find an Omega approved repairer.

I'm wincing at the "removed the balance but can't reinstall it" comments! I strongly recommend you do not fiddle any further; the balance/hairspring is one of the most delicate parts of a watch. This will also be pricey to replace so given it's likely you'll cause more damage (and given a repairer would remove all parts to completely service a watch) then I suggest you now leave it alone. 

The part that might be specific to your watch design would be the push button; without any pictures that's difficult to tell. Again, the qualified repairer would be able to advise. There are lots of generic pushers out there (https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/pushers-correctors) and the repairer might be even be able to source a match to yours. You mention your pusher came apart; if you have the original parts it may even be repairable.

Hope this provides some good initial guidance.

Edited March 25, 2021 by WatchMaker

[Michael1962]

Welcome to the forum.

[PJJ]

Dear Watchmaker, thank you very much for your reply and advice.  I shall follow your recommendations and keep fingers crossed.  Kind regards, PJ